Lock for overhead-trolley tracks.



No. 70l,5l7. Patented June 3, I902.

' S. J. SHARP.

LOOK FOR OVERHEAD TRULLEY TRACKS.

(Application filed May 8, 1901.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES: I'NVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

SAMUEL JAMES SHARP, OF YVHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF TIIREE-FOURTHS TO HERBERT E. DUNLAP, LOUIS F. STIFEL, AND HENRY E. STIFEL, OF WI-IEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

LOOK FOR OVERHEAD TROLLEY TRACKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 701,517, dated June 3, 1902.

Application filed May 8, 1901. Serial No. 59 248. (No model.)

To all whom it Hi/(by concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL JAMES SHARP, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of WVheeling, county of Ohio, and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looks for Overhead-Trolley Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in switch-locks, and more particularly to a lock or automatic device for preventing overhead trolleys from running off an overhead track at an open switch; and it consists in the particular construction, arrangement,and combination of parts which will hereinafter be fully described, and pointed out in the appended claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and durable device for positively preventing overhead trolleys from jumping off the track at an open switch.

In describing my invention in detail reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of an overhead-trolley track and switch equipped with my invention, the said switch being shown open. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same, showing the switch closed.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout both views.

In the drawings, 1 represents the trackhangers, 2 and 3 are two adjacent sections of rails of the main track at a switch, and 4 is the switch-rail. 5 represents the common turn-table, which before rotation begins is adapted to be raised out of its position,as illustrated in the drawings, by means of the downwardly-extending arm on its under side, all said parts being of the usual construction.

To the front edge of the track-hanger 1, which supports the rail 3 of the main track, I pivot a small bar 6, which extends at right angles to the rail 3 and is adapted to normally lie with its front end sunkin a small notch 7, provided in said rail 3. Said bar 6 is normally held in said notch 7 by a weight 8, which is suspended from said bar at a point between the pivot 9 and the front end of said bar.

On the turn-table 5, near the main-track 'edge 10 of the same, I secure one end of a long narrow rod 11, the front end of which when the said turn-table lies in a position closing the switch extends forward substantially parallel to the main track. Said rod 11 is made of such a length that when the switch is closed in the usual manner by means of said turntable the point or front end thereof will not come in contact with the said hanger 1, to which the said bar 6 is pivoted, but will engage the rear end of the said bar 6 and will tip up the front end of said bar from the notch 7, leaving the track clear. Now, as is apparent, when the switch is open the bar ,6, actuated by the weight 8, lies with its front end sunk in the notch 7 and forms a barrier which will prevent a trolley which may be on the track at the rear of the hanger 1 from passing off at the open end. As is also apparent, when the turn-table 5 is raised out of its position sufficiently to permit its parts to clear the rails of the track and is swung around to close the switch the point of the rod 11 will engage the upper edge of the bar 6, at the rear end thereof, and as said turn-table drops back into position, closing the switch, the front end of said bar 6 will be tipped up, taking the position shown in Fig. 2, thus leaving the track clear. When the said turn-table is again raised and is swung around to its former position, the bar 6 is released and, actuated by the weight 8, drops backinto the notch 7, (its normal position.)

The turn-table 5 is of the usual construction and is provided with the common downwardly-extending arm 12, which has therethrough near its lower end a hole 13, through which the horn 14 of a hand-rod 15 is adapted to be inserted to raise the table out of its normal position to turnrthe same, opening or closing the switch. The said table is supported in the usual manner by a brace or extension from one of the rails of the track, and when raised and swung around it swings on said arm 12 as a pivot.

I have described my invention in. what I consider to be its simplest form; but it is obvious that more mechanical changes, such as substituting a spring for the weight 8, may be made in its construction and arrangement without departing from the spirit or scopei overhead track, hangers therefor and a turntable, of a bar pivoted to the hanger next the switch, a notch provided in said track in which the point of said bar normally lies, a weight suspended from said bar at a point between its pivotal connection with the hanger and the track, and a long bar 11 secured on said turn-table, saidbar 11 being adapted to tip up and hold the front end of the pivoted bar to leave the track clear when the switch is closed, substantially as described.

2. In an automatic switch-lock for overhead-trolley tracks, the combination with the track, hanger and turn-table, of a bar pivoted on the track-hanger next the switch, said track provided with a notch therein, the point of said bar adapted to normally lie in said notch to lock the switch, a weight suspended from said bar and adapted to normally hold the said bar in place in said notch, and a rod fixed to said switch-block and adapted to tip the front end of said bar from the notch to clear the track when the switch is closed by the turn-table, all substantially as shown and described.

3. In an automatic switch-lock for overhead-trolley tracks, the combination with the track 3, hanger 1 and turn-table 5, of the bar 6, pivot 9, the track 3 provided with the notch 7, the weight 8, and the rod 11, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth and described.

Signed by me at Wheeling, West Virginia, this 15th day of January, 1901.

SAMUEL JAMES SHARP.

Witnesses:

ELBERT MITCHELL, J. WM. HARRIS. 

